Ukraine faces new challenges in peace talks with Russia.
FILE In this file photo taken on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during talks with journalists in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukraine's president sits down Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 for peace talks in Paris with Russian President Vladimir Putin in their first face-to-face meeting, and the stakes could not be higher.
So there are concerns among those who support Ukraine's sovereignty that Zelenskiy might end up giving too many concessions to Putin. That could lead to a backlash from Ukrainians who strongly oppose any rapprochement with Russia. The biggest challenge for Kyiv probably comes from France itself, with Macron speaking recently of the “brain death” of NATO because of a lack of coordination and leadership from Washington and also saying he wants to re-engage with Russia.
Taras Kuzio, a security expert and professor at National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, said Zelenskiy has already weakened his own position by agreeing to the talks even though Russia insists Crimea is non-negotiable. Germany's relationship with Moscow has been complicated by last week's expulsion of two Russian diplomats over the brazen killing of a Georgian national in Berlin in August, with prosecutors suggesting the slaying was either ordered by Russia or authorities in the republic of Chechnya.
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